Entries in Etta James
(5)

George Napolitano/FilmMagic(LOS ANGELES) -- This year’s Grammy Awards only have 78 categories, compared with the more than 100 categories of previous years.

But don’t expect the telecast, which airs on CBS Sunday night at 8 p.m. ET/PT, to wrap up earlier than usual.

“No, the show won’t be shorter,” laughs Ken Ehrlich, the executive producer of the Grammy Awards. “We’ve taken categories out but we haven’t figured out how to make it shorter! There’s just so much good stuff out there that we want to celebrate.”

That means viewers will see a whopping 19 performances spread over the three-and-a-half-hour show and, as in past years, most of the actual trophies will be handed out in a non-televised ceremony that takes place beforehand.

In fact, according to Ehrlich, the Grammy Awards show isn’t so much about the actual awards as it is about the performances, which feature cool collaborations from artists in every musical genre.

Performers include Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Kelly Clarkson, Katy Perry, Bruno Mars, Nicki Minaj, and Taylor Swift. In addition, Alicia Keys and Bonnie Raitt will be paying tribute to Etta James in one of several collaborations scheduled throughout the evening, while Adele will be making her first big performance since her vocal cord surgery.

Explaining why so many stars are willing to give up the solo spotlight to team with other artists for these special “Grammy Moments,” Ehrlich tells ABC News Radio, “A great number of [these artists] go on other shows and perform well, but we look at our show as being what you’re working towards. You want to be the best on this show because it means something to be the best on this show. And so there’s this kind of mindset that allows them to be more collaborative.”

But of course, there will be actual awards handed out Sunday night.

The leading nominee is Kanye West, who has a chance to expand his already huge collection of 14 Grammys: he’s got seven nominations, while Adele, Bruno Mars and Foo Fighters are tied with six each.

Lil Wayne and electronic musician Skrillex have five nominations, while Rihanna, Radiohead, indie rockers Bon Iver, Drake and British alt-folk group Mumford & Sons each received four nods.

Raymond Boyd/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images(LOS ANGELES) -- Hundreds of friends, family and some famous faces paid tribute to legendary singer Etta James Saturday at the City of Refuge church outside Los Angeles.

Christina Aguilera sang an incredible rendition of one of James’ best known hits, “At Last.”

“There’s a line in this song that says, ‘I found a dream that I could speak to,’” said Aguilera. “And for me, that dream all my life has been Etta James. I’ve aspired to sing like her, to be like her, to emulate her notes and her passion and the love for what she did—I could feel it. Out of all the singers I’ve ever heard, she was the one that cut right to my soul and spoke to me.”

Stevie Wonder performed his song “Shelter in the Rain,” a harmonica solo, and led mourners in a rendition of “The Lord’s Prayer.”

Rev. Al Sharpton eulogized James, quoting a statement from President Barack Obama, “Etta will be remembered for her legendary voice and her contributions to our nation’s musical heritage.”

Sharpton called James a “bridge over troubled water.”

James was buried after the service at Inglewood Park Cemetery.

James died from complications of leukemia. She had been diagnosed with chronic leukemia in January 2011. Court records show the 73-year-old entertainer also suffered from dementia and kidney failure.

Throughout her career, James released 30 albums and 58 singles. She explored the musical genres of gospel, rock and roll, rhythm and blues, and jazz.

James was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, the Blues Hall of Fame in 2001, and the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999 and 2008.

In 2003, James received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. She was awarded six Grammys and 17 Blues Music Awards, and was named No. 22 on Rolling Stones’ 100 Greatest Singers of All Time.

Michael Ochs Archives / RedfernsAgency(LOS ANGELES) -- Pioneering R&B singer Etta James, who has been ailing for more than a year, has died in California. She was 73; her 74th birthday would've been next week, January 25. James had been suffering from terminal leukemia, dementia and kidney failure, for which she was admitted to a care center last year.

Best known for her 1961 hit "At Last," James was discovered by Johnny Otis, who died earlier this week, and first hit the charts as a teenager with the song "Roll with Me Henry," aka "The Wallflower." Her other signature numbers included "Tell Mama" and "I'd Rather Go Blind."

Throughout her career, James easily moved between soul, R&B, jazz and blues. She won six Grammys and was a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. A huge inspiration to generations of performers, Etta James was portrayed by Beyonce in the 2008 film Cadillac Records. Adele also has cited her as one of her main inspirations. James' song "Something's Got a Hold On Me" was just performed by a contestant on American Idol this past week. In addition, "Good Feeling," the current hit by rapper Flo Rida, features a vocal sample of that same song.

Raymond Boyd/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images(LOS ANGELES) -- Singer Etta James has been hospitalized after experiencing trouble breathing, and her manager said the blues legend is “in pretty bad shape.”

James’ family is with her at the hospital.

James, who has been suffering from chronic leukemia, is terminally ill, her doctor said.

Dr. Elaine James, who is unrelated to the singer and has been living with her since March 2010, is now asking James’ fans to pray for her.

“I am Southern and Christian and would just ask for the prayers of her fans and friends,” Elaine James said, according to the Press-Enterprise.

“They know she’s been sick, but not how sick,” Elaine James said.

According to court documents filed in a dispute between family members over the singer’s medical care, James also suffers from dementia and kidney failure.

The 73-year-old entertainer, who is most famous for the hit song At Last, has been under the 24-hour care of Elaine James since 2001, when the doctor was hired by the singer’s husband, Artis Mills.

In the 1960s and 1970s, James was in and out of rehab programs for a heroin addiction. In 1974, she spent 17 months in the hospital after she was arrested for drug possession and sentenced to drug treatment instead of prison time.

James was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, the Blues Hall of Fame in 2001, and the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999 and 2008. She has won six Grammy Awards and 17 Blues Music Awards, and was named number 22 on Rolling Stones’ 100 Greatest Singers of All Time.

Dr. Elaine James, who is unrelated to the singer and has been living with her since March 2010, is now asking James’ fans to pray for her.

“I am Southern and Christian and would just ask for the prayers of her fans and friends,” Elaine James said, according to the Press-Enterprise.

“They know she’s been sick, but not how sick,” Elaine James said.

Court documents show that James also suffers from dementia and kidney failure.

The 73-year-old entertainer, who is most famous for the hit song “At Last,” is now under the 24-hour care of Elaine James, who was hired by the singer’s husband, Artis Mills, in 2001.

In the 1960s and 1970s, James was in and out of rehab programs for a heroin addiction. In 1974, she spent 17 months in the hospital after she was arrested for drug possession and sentenced to drug treatment instead of prison time.

James was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, the Blues Hall of Fame in 2001, and the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999 and 2008. She has won six Grammy Awards and 17 Blues Music Awards, and was named number 22 on Rolling Stones’ 100 Greatest Singers of All Time.